Ricoh
Ricoh GR IV
The Ricoh GR IV is a fixed-lens compact built around an APS-C sensor, made for street and travel photographers. It gives up zoom flexibility, fast burst rates and serious video modes in exchange for a pocketable body with in-body stabilization.
- Launch price
- 1,499 USD
- Lens mount
- Fixed lens
- Effective pixels
- 25.74 MP
- Sensor format
- APS-C
- In-body image stabilization
- 6 stops
- Max video resolution
- 1080p
How good are the photos?
A 25.74 MP back-illuminated CMOS sensor in the APS-C format is the reason a coat-pocket camera can deliver image quality in the same class as interchangeable-lens bodies. Native sensitivity reaching 204,800 ISO gives deep headroom for dim rooms and night streets without extra lighting. Only 3:2 is native to the sensor, so the 4:3, square and widescreen settings crop in-camera and cost you pixels.
How steady is it handheld?
In-body stabilization is rated for up to 6 stops at the center of the frame, enough to hold dusk streets by hand at slow shutter speeds. That rating falls to 4 stops toward the periphery, so edges of wide compositions get noticeably less protection. Keep critical detail near the middle, and accept softer corners on sweeping scenes.
Is it fast enough for action?
Continuous shooting tops out at 4 fps, brisk enough for unfolding street moments but short of what sports and birds in flight demand. The 1/4000 s peak shutter speed only arrives once you stop down to F5.6 or smaller. Wide open at F2.8 the ceiling is 1/2500 s, so wide-aperture shooting in harsh light has fixed limits.
Is it a serious video camera?
Video tops out at 1080p in H.264, with no raw recording and no published log profile, so this is a stills camera that grabs clips rather than one built for film work. Connectivity is USB-C only, with no HDMI output and no headphone jack, which complicates external recorders and audio monitoring. Video-first buyers have better options elsewhere.
What is it like to live with?
The body measures 109.4 × 61.1 × 32.7 mm, small enough to live in a coat pocket, and there is no eye-level viewfinder. All framing happens on the fixed 3-inch rear screen of 1.037 million dots, so composing takes place at arm's length.
Battery life is rated at 250 shots per charge, lean for a camera designed to be carried all day. Heavy shooters should plan around it with spare power or disciplined shooting.
Full specs
Overview
- Release date
- Not published
- Launch price
- 1,499 USD
Launch MSRP per the review; Ricoh's US store currently lists $1,599.95.
- Lens mount
- Fixed lens
- High resolution pixel-shift mode
- Not published
Sensor & Image
- Effective pixels
- 25.74 MP
- Sensor format
- APS-C
- Native ISO maximum
- 204,800 ISO
- In-body image stabilization
- 6 stops
Ricoh's 6.0-stop rating applies at frame centre; periphery is rated 4.0 stops (CIPA 2024).
- Sensor readout speed
- Not published
- Sensor type
- CMOS
The sensor is a back-illuminated (BSI) CMOS type; mapped to 'cmos' as no BSI option is listed.
- Aspect ratios
- 3:2, 4:3, 1:1, 16:9
3:2 is native to the 23.3 x 15.5 mm sensor; 4:3, 1:1 and 16:9 are in-camera crop modes.
Lens & Autofocus
- Continuous shooting (mechanical)
- 4 fps
The review cites 4 fps continuous without specifying shutter type.
- Continuous shooting (electronic)
- Not published
- Max mechanical shutter speed
- 4,000 1/s
1/4000 s requires F5.6 or a smaller aperture; at F2.8 the limit is 1/2500 s.
- Pre-burst capture duration
- Not published
- AF subject detection
- Human
Only face/eye detection is offered; no animal or vehicle subject recognition is listed.
Video
- Max video resolution
- 1080p
- 4K max frame rate
- Not published
- Video codecs
- H.264
- 4K max frame rate (full width)
- Not published
- Raw video recording
- None
- Video bit depth
- Not published
- Log profile support
- Not published
- Video dynamic range (log)
- Not published
Viewfinder & Screen
- Viewfinder resolution
- 0 M dots
- Viewfinder magnification
- Not published
- Screen size
- 3 in
- Screen articulation
- Fixed
- Rear screen resolution
- 1.037 M dots
Handling & Power
- Battery life
- 250 shots
CIPA-rated at 23°C with a fully charged DB-120 battery.
- Memory card slots
- 1 slots
Single microSD slot, plus 53 GB internal memory that cannot record to both at once.
- Weather sealing
- Not published
- Weight
- 262 g
- Width
- 109.4 mm
- Height
- 61.1 mm
- Depth
- 32.7 mm
- USB charging & power delivery
- Yes
Battery charges and camera draws power in-body over USB-C; fast charging needs a USB-PD adapter.
- Minimum operating temperature
- Not published
- Headphone port
- No
- HDMI port type
- None
Video output is DisplayPort over USB-C; there is no HDMI connector.
The Verdict
The Ricoh GR IV makes sense for street, travel and documentary photographers who put stills first and will commit to one fixed lens. Vloggers, action shooters and anyone who wants 4K video, quicker bursts or an eye-level finder should look elsewhere. It carried a $1,499 MSRP at launch, and Ricoh's US store now lists it at $1,599.95.
FAQ
Does the Ricoh GR IV have a viewfinder?
No. It has no built-in viewfinder, so all composing happens on the rear screen.
Is the Ricoh GR IV weather-sealed?
Ricoh has not published a weather-sealing rating for this model, so it is wise to protect it in rain or dust.
What memory card does the Ricoh GR IV use?
It takes microSD cards in a single slot, backed by 53 GB of internal memory, though the camera cannot record to both at the same time.
Can the Ricoh GR IV detect animals or vehicles?
No. Subject detection covers human faces and eyes only, with no animal or vehicle recognition modes.
Can you charge the Ricoh GR IV over USB?
Yes. The battery charges over USB-C and the camera can draw power in-body, with the fastest charging requiring a USB-PD adapter.
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